China and Buddhism Ch. 8 Pgs. 388-393. The Influence of Buddhism “Buddhism is by far the most important gift that China received from India…” pg. 388.

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Presentation on theme: "China and Buddhism Ch. 8 Pgs. 388-393. The Influence of Buddhism “Buddhism is by far the most important gift that China received from India…” pg. 388."— Presentation transcript:

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China and Buddhism Ch. 8 Pgs

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The Influence of Buddhism “Buddhism is by far the most important gift that China received from India…” pg. 388 Christianity is to ____________________ as Buddhism is to ____________________ China became a “launching pad” for Buddhism – spreading Buddhism to Korea and Japan Buddhism faded in India, but grew solid roots in much of East Asia

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Making Buddhism Chinese Initially entered Chinese via the silk road Han dynasty not accepting of Buddhism – found barbaric – believed that Buddhism was at odds with Confucianism = felt monk life – secluded and monastic – was dishonorable towards Chinese family values, enlightenment seemed selfish, individual salvation = selfish The initial entrance into China, Buddhism was a practice of the foreign merchants and monks living in China

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Xuan Kong Monastery, China

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Making Buddhism Chinese Buddhism grew between 200CE and 800CE – with both elite and popular culture – began with the collapse of the Han Dynasty – violent and fragmented country led people to discredit Confucianism. Buddhism provided comfort – ritual, morality, and contemplation – became a stable aspect of peoples lives in an unstable environment Appeal to ordinary people = travelers, place of refuge, provided charity, farmers could borrow seed, sick treated, kids educated

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Translation of Buddhism to Chinese Culture – Dharma = Dao – “the way” – Morality = “filial submission and obedience” – Some Indian concepts were “husband supports wife,” in Chinese Buddhism became “husband controls wife” – Took hold in the Mahayana form – deities, relics, many heavens and hells, and bodhisattvas – Pure Land Buddhism – salvation by faith, not study or meditation – became the most popular Chinese version of the Indian faith

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Making Buddhism Chinese Sui and early Tang support of Buddhism – Sui Emperor = Wendi = built monasteries at the bases of China’s 5 sacred mountains – used Buddhism to justify military campaigns Was never independent of the state – monasteries were required to read Confucian texts – state had control over Buddhism (unlike Christian church in Europe)

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Losing State Support – Buddhism’s Decline Challenges from the state 1. The wealth of Buddhism – monks that traded/received goods from along the silk road 2. Origin of Buddhism – from India, not welcome, offensive to Confucianism and Daoism – felt Buddhism undermined the Confucian-based family system Turning point in the spread of Buddhism = An Lushan rebellion ( ) = revolt against the Tang, desire to return to “purity” of earlier times – Buddhism became criticized

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Buddhism Holds On Although persecuted, Buddhism did not disappear – played a role in the reformation of Confucianism during the Song dynasty Buddhism at village level incorporated the honoring of ancestors Statues included aspects of Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha

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How did Buddhism regain strength and become one of the most common religions in SE Asia?